Russell Kress

Bismarck

Russell Edward Kress, 95, Bismarck, formerly of Crosby, Fortuna and Minot died Thursday, November 7, 2024, in a Bismarck nursing home.

Russell was born on August 23, 1929, in Fortuna, North Dakota, the second youngest of 13 children to George and Maria (McMaster) Kress. He was raised on the family farm near Ambrose, ND and lived for a short time in Montana. He graduated from Ambrose High School in 1947, and enlisted with the U.S. Army. He honorably served his country from 1951-1953 in Germany and France.

Russell was united in marriage to Donna Mae Titterud at Camp Rucker, Alabama, on May 24, 1951. After receiving his honorable discharge, they lived in Montana for a short time, before returning to Fortuna in 1954. They made their home in Fortuna, where along with raising their 5 children, he was employed as manager of the Fortuna Grain Elevator for 25 years. He later worked with Atwood-Larson Grain Business for 11 years.

He retired in 1990. He and Donna moved to Crosby in 1979, and later to Minot in 2000. They moved to Bismarck in 2024. Donna Mae died on June 2, 2024.

Russell was a member of Bethany Lutheran Church in Minot, and a former member of Faith Lutheran Church in Fortuna, where he served as an usher. He was also a member of the Crosby American Legion and a former member of the Minot Moose Lodge. He served as a bell ringer for the Salvation Army and did volunteer work at Trinity Hospital in Minot. In his spare time, you could find Russ golfing, walking, curling or having a cup of coffee with friends. Blessed by his memory!

His loving family includes: children, Cyndi (Mike) McIntee, Bottineau; Donnie (Janie) Kress, Bismarck, Jerry (Marla) Kress, Sammamish, WA; Rodney Kress, Bellevue, WA; 6 grandchildren to include: Sara (Adam) Pachl, Michelle (Ryan) Bacon, Collin (Cassandra) McIntee, Michael McIntee, Derek (Alissa) Kress and Dustin (Melanie) Kress; 10 great grandchildren to include: Posey McIntee, SadieAnn McIntee, Kaylani Kress, Kalea Kress, Maverick McIntee, Shane McIntee, Anson Pachl, Luke Bacon, Dominic Kress, Darrison Kress, along with several nieces, nephews and cousins.

Russell was preceded in death by: his parents: wife of 73 years, Donna Mae; son, Larry Kress; grandson, Shane McIntee, great granddaughter, Kaitlyn Bacon; his siblings, Harvey, Daniel, Royal, Jim, Lillian Stubbe, Ester Storhaug, Myrtle Eriksmoen, Pearl Lunde, Delila Scheff, Leonard and Archie.

Graveside service: Thursday, November 14, 2024, at 11:00 a.m., in the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery, rural Mandan, ND.

Memorials are preferred to Bethany Lutheran Church, Minot or the Salvation Army.

To view a delayed streaming of the service, share a fond memory and send a message of sympathy, please go to Russell’s obituary page at www.thomasfamilyfuneralhome.com.

Published by The Minot Daily News, November 12, 2024.